Guess who didn't sleep.........yep, not even a little.........again we both decided at 2.30 we might as well get up and look out the window and I made us a cup of tea.........so we sat for an hour or so just chatting about our trip in front of us and how much we would hopefully enjoy it. We got back into bed much later and felt as if we never slept at all.

Although I`m sure we must have slept at some point.........not sure when though as we both saw every hour on the clock the whole night......but.......our travel day had finally arrived.

It was very early and we eventually noticed we hadn't received our alarm call from the hotel. I`m glad we weren't depending on it........but even though we were tired, I jumped in the shower and then found the rather lackluster hairdryer they have.......it works though. It was still dark outside but as always and since around 3am the airport buzzes with life.......so much going on all around it.

We had breakfast included in the Lounge with our room, but we chose not to take it. Having seen the offerings the night before we thought we`d prefer to buy our own at the airport......so we headed straight down to check out and hand our car keys over. The car is taken offsite for our entire stay. We have used this for many years and touch wood it`s always been fine.........so we head down to terminal to hopefully go straight through security.

Best laid plans again...........the place is mobbed. It is so busy they are using another entrance to security........we go straight to the machine and buy the fast track.......can`t remember how much it was, but it was worth it.......we wander into the fast track queue and past many disgruntled passengers in the really long non fast track queue and are through in 5 minutes. This is always a scrum before the scanners..........trying to get trays, do we have to take shoes off, laptops out, watches off or not. Today we don't have to and for the first time I don't get buzzed going through the scanner........Tom however does get buzzed for an extra search......but again, it`s only a few minutes and we are through.....time for food.

We head into the duty free area to be again met by swarms of sales staff selling every kind of perfume and make up you can think of........I do plan to buy something but we head straight to our usual breakfast place. It always amazes me how busy airports are.....every day bringing a new flock of travelers......sometimes look and wonder what their story is........everyone has one.

We arrive and see its again busy......but a window seat appears just as we do.....so we ask if we can get it.......of course she says......so we again, get a nice view of all the planes passing.......yep, definitely a geek!

This is where we see the weather is awful......just the type of day we love to leave in.........

We have a look at the menu and Tom opts for the cooked breakfast of bacon, sausages, eggs and toast........I think I opted for toast with marmalade.......I had pancakes last year and they were huge........

This is such a relaxing way to start the day..........we enjoy the food and then order some more tea........America, we only drink coffee.........so we enjoy our last pot of proper tea.

We then head back to duty free where I pick up a bottle of Jimmy Choo Blossom and some make up from Estee Lauder........and then we go visit the bathroom and before we know it our gate is on the screens. We are usually down as far as you can go and seem to walk for miles just to get to our plane, and today was no different. No complaints though as we were just glad the strike had not affected our flights. Selfish? Probably.......but I knew we were so ready for this trip.

We used to always fly with Virgin Atlantic, but last few year we have flown with Thomas Cook. Short haul I wouldn't, but their long haul flights have been excellent and times are slightly better........so we were looking forward to this again. This plane didn't have a Premium cabin and we didn't manage to get exit rows on the way out but the leg room we had been told was excellent in the seats we had..........she was right!

We were first on the plane as we were in row 4.........and seats were comfortable........that's always something.......one thing I did notice was the lack of little children all clutching Mickey Louse or some other Disney orientated toy.......this was going to a much quieter flight. When I had flown previously to New York, all 3 times the flights had few or no children on them..........I don't dislike kids, but sometimes on a plane...........I`ll leave it a that.......

So, we took off on time and the take off always terrifies me........I try to enjoy it, but I`m always convinced it`ll never get off the ground......and this time I did feel......he could be going a little faster......expert that I am of course I was wrong.......take off was smooth and we sucked on fruity hard candy to save the ears blocking up. Always works..........

The drinks service is almost immediate.........and this year Tom wasn't driving when we got to the other side......so he ordered a couple of beers and I had my usual two little bottles of wine......would keep that for when the food came around.........and a pepsi for now.....

The flight is seven and a half hours to NY, so quite a bit shorter than the Orlando journey.........but they still feed you the same amount of times.....so before long the food appeared. It is usually quite good going out and today was no different........we both opted for the beef in red wine......it was actually very nice and the little dumpling looked awful but was surprisingly light.......cheese and crackers followed by a chocolate cake that I didn't eat.......think someone else might have devoured that ...........

So for plane food it was decent.

We soon got restless and began wandering around and standing up........we did have decent leg room....not sure you can see from these pictures........but for standard economy seats they were decent......Tom is 6 foot tall and he thought they were fine.

We set our watches for American time after we are fed........and all of a sudden the seat belt sign comes on.......now I don't mind turbulence.....even bad turbulence as I understand it.......unlike take off which just doesn't equate with me at all......but folks are getting jittery as it is quite bad. We usually have it on the road home, very rarely have it bad on the way out.

But it`s soon over and we settle down for what`s left of the flight. I did manage to sleep for around an hour, which my sore neck can attest to.......then they brought round afternoon tea which I declined as did Tom. Didn't look great........

Then it was time to land. I had chosen this side of the plane so Tom could see the city as we flew past it, I had come in this way on every other flight to NYC I had been on.........best laid plans again..........we came in and saw nothing..........so I was laughing at my promises he would see it clearly if it was decent weather..........always next time. Landing was excellent........and soon we were heading to our gate.....which ironically was the furthest away from immigration and security you could get.

We headed down to the line and were sent to an automated machine........we got a black cross on ours so then had to proceed to another queue to see an officer, and the queue was long. Very long. We must have been there an hour which was frustrating as we had landed right on time at 1pm NY time. That was now 6pm to our bodies. The office we got refused to speak to everyone in front of us and proceeded to tap everything he wanted us to do......we had watched but he had a twinkle in his eye.......It must be me as I did make him smile........and we got through to proceed to luggage pick up.

By the time we got through all the luggage had been removed from the carousel and was all piled up neatly in lines.......ideal. So we got our cases and headed out to get a cab into the city. We had thought of getting the guy we had used to take us out to Long Island, but decided to give Tom the full NYC cab driver experience..........so we got in the non existant line and the operator gave us our receipt and told us to hang on to it and did we know it was a set fee....we thanked him and said yes we did..........

So we set off on the cab drive from hell......but we got there..........with Tom asking me why wasn't it warmer??? Oh dear

I love your reports, wow you all have a long trip ahead of you as of this page lol! Glad the flight was okay and no strike issues for you. I am excited to hear about your trip! I love NYC and Wicked as well!

So a very warm welcome to anyone who takes the time to read my sometimes ramblings of a trip report from our recent stay in the beautiful USA! New readers and folks who know us definitely welcome and hope you enjoy it.........

I knew I wanted to see Wicked again. This would be my 5th time with 3 in NYC and 1 in London. Tom likes the Wizard of Oz too and again, my enthusiasm for the show was catching and he caught the bug and was so looking forward to seeing it.

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I LOVE Wicked too! I've seen it 4 times! 3 times at a local theater, and once in NYC.

I love your reports, wow you all have a long trip ahead of you as of this page lol! Glad the flight was okay and no strike issues for you. I am excited to hear about your trip! I love NYC and Wicked as well!

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Welcome alone.......nice to see you on here........yep, big relief that the strike didn’t affect many people....I think every flight took off, some may have been delayed but they got to where they were going which I was glad about.

Nice to hear you love Wicked too........so many fans of a fabulous show.........hope you enjoy reading.......

I LOVE Wicked too! I've seen it 4 times! 3 times at a local theater, and once in NYC.

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Welcome Raeven............Thanks.....it was a nice few things to celebrate........I don’t think I could ever get fed up seeing Wicked........Tom thought I might not want to see it again this year.......I was like.....are you kidding.....I’d see it every month if I could! Amazing show...........

To explain Tom was asking why it was cold when we arrived.........it wasn't actually cold. It was warmish......not Orlando warm though. When we decided to go he asked what kind of temps we could expect. I had asked my aunt and she said oh you`ll be warm....no need for jackets usually.......so I duly told Tom it would be really warm. And so far it didn't look good.

But, we got in the death cab (think Phoebe from Friends getting Ross to the airport) and made the journey into the city for the first time for Tom. I had done this route so knew when to start looking for the iconic variety of tall buildings in the City you can see from so far. It took slightly less than an hour as the driver was definitely someone who considered himself invincible and seemed not to see the other hundreds of vehicles on the road.....most with drivers who all had the same condition as our driver! So it was an eventful journey which thankfully was relatively uneventful. A few scares along the way but no bumps or lumps.

As the city came into view I could see Tom slightly mesmerized. It really is one of the most impressive cities in the world, instantly recognizable and truly iconic with buildings like The Empire State, Chrysler and of course the new One World Trade. I never made it to NYC before the twin towers came down and it`s something I`ll always regret never seeing.

But, as we came closer Tom became more enthralled with our drivers driving.......anyone who has driven or been driven in this city knows how terrifying it can be. Those guys take no prisoners. He had asked us in basic English where our hotel was and as we got closer he began driving while checking his ipad.....now that was scary........but eventually.......we arrived at our hotel. There is a fancy entrance and there is a side entrance which is more suitable for folks with luggage.......and of course he dropped us at the scenic entrance where we had to cross the road. Thankfully there are crossings everywhere.

At this point we were bright as buttons.........any tiredness we might have felt on the flight or cab ride immediately disappeared as we stepped out of the cab and into the hustle and bustle of NYC. This street wasn't overly busy with crowds as we were on Madison, but you could still hear and fee you were in the heart of one of the biggest and most bustling cities in the World.

We paid or cab driver with the set fee plus tip which was $70 or so and crossed over to what was going to be our home for the next 5 nights.......

It looked beautiful......but as we were hauling two suitcases and hand luggage we just wanted to be rid of them and walk freely........

Stepping in was lovely. It really does have an impressive set of steps, of course not ideal for luggage.......

We liked it. A lot.

As we entered at the top of the stairs a gentleman called for me to stop.......I thought oh heck what have I done.......this man in a black suit, ear piece and yes he did look like a retired CIA agent........came up the steps to help with my case.....Tom had just gone on in front slightly........I was so grateful and he was so polite and friendly despite the slightly formal look........his name we would later was Maurice and he was head of security for the hotel and a thoroughly lovely man. Tom at this point turned and thought what`s she done now.....lol.......we thanked him for his help and he explained people often come in that way despite the other door being more convenient...........

So as we admired our setting we walked through to check in........It is not the largest check in area but beautifully done

(not my picture.....credit Google)

We only waited a few minutes when a young lady who`s name I forget checked us in..........she immediately acknowledged our celebrations and said she would arrange for something to be sent to our room maybe tomorrow evening.......I thanked her for her kindness and knew we would love it here.

She told us our room wasn't quite ready and could we maybe go and sit in the lounge area for maybe an hour till the room was probably ready. Told her that was no problem........so we headed over to the first bar area we saw when we entered.........we hoped it was ok to go in with luggage but it was fine. The rather dapper waiter welcomed us by name which stunned us. How on earth did he know our name.........he just smiled and said we could sit anywhere.......now we did like this........we both ordered a glass of Chardonnay and sat back in the comfortable seats in a beautiful lounge.

It really was a nice lounge, very warm feeling while we were sat........our waiter brought over some little snacks that we did nibble on and were very nice......we were enjoying just chilling and taking in our environment and we certainly enjoyed our wine. he came over to check if we wanted another and we said no thank you. We didn't want to have a lot as tiredness mixed with time difference mixed with wine wouldn't be the best mix........so we said could we have the check and we go see if our room was ready. He said the check had been taken care of which astounded us........and he then told us he had been informed our room was indeed ready. We were a little surprised by this but I think check in had called and said to take of the check for us and they would let him know when the room was ready. How lovely. We did make sure he was tipped what he should be of course.

So, back to check in where indeed our room was ready and we could go up.

The elevators themselves were gorgeous.......I don't think I took a picture, but nice. And plenty of them for the size of the hotel........we had booked a corner room so knew we would be well away from elevators which I don't like........but we were glad we had booked this room..........

I had found the iron.........

The room was beautiful and had the freshest, cleanest smell I have ever noticed going into any hotel room........it felt immaculately clean and pristine......not a drop of dust anywhere.....bedding was so soft and it was like sleeping on clouds.........but the view we loved.........

Being so close to the Rockefeller Centre was nice...........

The bathroom was probably needing a little update if I`m honest......but it was clean and the products were lovely.......and were certainly replenished in abundance. Although I do have to ask......why do they put bathroom scales in hotel bathrooms!!!! So unnecessary.........and unkind too!!

We decided there and then this hotel was worth the cost.

I called my aunt as I said I would call to check she was doing well enough for us to visit tomorrow.......she was doing great. I was so happy to hear that......I would have hated to be so close and not see them. We told her what train we would be on and we would have to get off a stop or two early as the LIRR was undergoing work that weekend still........it had been a massive project and most was done. But of course the weekend we were visiting would have to be the time that route was being disrupted. It was a very short call and even though I never worry what things cost did wonder what the call would cost......lol......

So we got unpacked for what we thought we would need for our NY part of the trip and left the rest in the case...........

Now it was time to head out and find something to eat before our visit to the Iconic Rockefeller Centre.

Welcome Raeven............Thanks.....it was a nice few things to celebrate........I don’t think I could ever get fed up seeing Wicked........Tom thought I might not want to see it again this year.......I was like.....are you kidding.....I’d see it every month if I could! Amazing show...........

Nice to see you.........

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I couldn’t either! There was a survey that I got once from Universal about them putting in new entertainment and one of the options was for a theater and a year round Wicked show...I always hoped that would happen then I’d see it every vacation too

I couldn’t either! There was a survey that I got once from Universal about them putting in new entertainment and one of the options was for a theater and a year round Wicked show...I always hoped that would happen then I’d see it every vacation too

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I remember that survey.........yep, that would be amazing!!! I`d be there too......

The trip report is off to an awesome start, as always! I totally get missing your boy. My son is off to college. He's only two hours away and we see him often, but still hard to say goodbye for extended periods of time. What a bummer for your first glass of vacation vino to be a dud! But, glad the bartender rectified it with the Pinot Grigio. I'm so happy you were pleased with your NYC hotel with a warm welcome and nice furnishings. That looks like such a spacious room for NYC. I'll have to keep this one in mind as my daughter has been asking to return. Looking forward to the next installment.